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Intellectual freedom is the right of all people to hold and express opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Intellectual freedom is recognized by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19, as a basic human right.

Database June 14, 2022

Library Challenges Database

The CFE Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access. For each challenge, the database provides information about the challenge, including (1) the item, the nature of the objection, and the requested remedy; (2) (where available) the record of the review of the challenged item undertaken by the library; (3) the library's response.
News May 16, 2023

Sarah Meilleur joins CFE Working Group on Intellectual Freedom

Sarah Meilleur, the CEO of the Calgary Public Library, has been appointed today to membership on the Centre for Free Expression’s Working Group on Intellectual Freedom. “We are delighted Sarah has agreed to joining the Centre for Free Expression’s Working Group. She brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to intellectual freedom,” said James L. Turk, Director of the CFE. 
List April 12, 2023

CFE Profiles of Challenged Books

CFE Book Profiles provide background information about important books being challenged in libraries in Canada. Each profile has information about the author, the publisher’s description of the book, the number of editions and languages into which it has been translated, awards (if any) it has won, and quotes from professional reviews of the book.
BPC Bulletin March 2, 2023

BPC Bulletin: The RCMP Investigates and Clears Books in Chilliwack's Public Schools

In Chilliwack, B.C., an RCMP investigation has concluded that the content of books in local public schools does not meet the legal definition of child pornography in the Criminal Code. A member of Action4Canada had contacted the RCMP earlier to complain about some of the books in Chilliwack’s public schools. The complainant alleged that some books depicted child pornography. Tanya Gaw, who spoke for Action4Canada, said the organization objected to books such as